Thomas Reed Johnson
October 10, 1940 ~ December 5, 2020
Thomas R. Johnson (Age 80)
Of Front Royal, Va. And formerly of Longview, Washington
passed away on December 5, 2020. Beloved son to the late
Betty and Joe Johnson; beloved husband to Sharon Johnson;
beloved brother to Steve Johnson and the late Kate Brooks;
devoted father to Janine Murphy and the late Charles Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his
name to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, SE,
Vienna, Va 22180-4609.
A live stream of his memorial service will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday,
December 19, 2020. The live stream can be accessed by going to
www.moneyandking.com, then to the obituary for Mr. Johnson. Go to his
Tribute Wall and you will see a link to the live stream service. The live stream
is also recorded and can be viewed at any time.
Of Front Royal, Va. And formerly of Longview, Washington
passed away on December 5, 2020. Beloved son to the late
Betty and Joe Johnson; beloved husband to Sharon Johnson;
beloved brother to Steve Johnson and the late Kate Brooks;
devoted father to Janine Murphy and the late Charles Johnson.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his
name to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club, 118 Park Street, SE,
Vienna, Va 22180-4609.
A live stream of his memorial service will begin at 10:00 AM on Saturday,
December 19, 2020. The live stream can be accessed by going to
www.moneyandking.com, then to the obituary for Mr. Johnson. Go to his
Tribute Wall and you will see a link to the live stream service. The live stream
is also recorded and can be viewed at any time.
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My deep condolences to the family of Tom Johnson. I wish I could see his obituary on this site; there is much good to say about Tom. I got acquainted with him as a neighbor who cared for the AT near the community of High Knob, and as a volunteer. What a remarkable story-teller. His knowledge of history was vast.
Tom Johnson was a giant of the Appalachian Trail movement and an advocate for trails and hiking in general. At the time of his passing in late 2020 he was perhaps the greatest living historian of the A.T. Among his many trail related accomplishments, Tom was past President of PATC and current historian, and a long time Board member and member of the Hall of Fame selection committee of the A.T. Museum. Tom was also active in the American Hiking Society and the Great Eastern Trail Association. Tom Johnson was a major force in the PATC. He served two terms as president and in many other positions. Tom had become an elder of the club as the keeper of its story in his work as the archivist and historian. It is difficult to list everything Tom did. Besides his terms as president, he served in both vice president positions—for operations (2000) and for volunteerism (1998). He was supervisor of both trails and lands. He also was the chair of the communications team in 2003. Tom’s recent work involved the histories of both the Appalachian Trail and of the PATC. He completed his History of the Appalachian Trail recently, and it should be published soon. His History of the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club is now on the PATC website for download and reading.
Thank you so much for sharing these photos
I think one measure of a person is the impression they leave on others. In Tom’s case, whenever you spent time with him, you left feeling you had learned something and were a better person for it. It was rare when you ever saw Tom riled, and you were more likely to be taken by his gentle nature, patience, and smile. I shared many hours with Tom on PATC Council and in phone contacts with him over the years. It was always time well spent. I am deeply sorry to hear of Tom’s passing, but his heritage will certainly live on. I will definitely miss you Tom. Andy Hiltz PATC Supervisor of Trails ’90, ’91, ’93 PATC Honorary Life Member AHS Honorary Life Member
Tom was a good man. He was gentle as many have stated and incredibly smart. He was hard working and loved hiking. He was a good family friend of ours. My father met him when Tom brought his car to be worked on at my dads shop long ago. They became friends since and he has made an impact in many ways in our lives. Tom always wanted to help people. When my father got sick, he and his wife Sharon, volunteered to come watch over him or pick him up and take him places just to help. I will never forget our hikes we had together. I’m 30 years old and he outhiked me many many times. It was hard to keep up with him! So impressive. His gentle nature, many times he would slow down so I didn’t feel bad. Ha! He will be forever missed. I will never forget him, and my family and I are deeply saddened by this. It makes me wish I made more time to see him, and makes me wish I talked to him more often. He really helped me with my confidence, and made me feel like I am something special that others have not seen in me. I’m sure I can speak for everyone when I say that. Tom was always one of those people you just thought would live forever. So strong and able. One of the best people I know! And he will forever be missed! Love you Tom!
Tom was one of the most honorable men I have ever known. He was so willing to help you in any way he could. He would lend his experience and knowledge to any subject. I and all his friends will miss him. May Tom rest in peace.
My condolences to the family of one of the nicest guys I have ever known.
Video
My wife, Lou Ann Blake and I were terribly saddened to hear of the passing of our dearly departed friend, Lieutenant Col. Thomas Johnson. As the result of being introduced to a mutual dear friend and colleague of Tom’s, Ms. Sharon Maneki, we began an adventure that joined a community of blind people of the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland with those passionate about the care and upkeep of one of our nation’s most precious resource in the Appalachian Trail. Lou Ann and I discovered a common interest in hiking, and we spent part of our honeymoon on day hikes on the AT. Through Sharon, we met Tom and were invited to speak to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club where we proposed a project to sponsor a hike for several other blind people. After having our trail legs tested out with Tom on a short hike, he became convinced of the efficacy of such a venture. Lou Ann and I eventually met Georgia Harris and Randy Motz who graciously accompanied us on four-day hikes of the AT through Maryland. From Tom and from our newly found trail friends, we learned a lot. Tom went on to champion an ambitious project that would bring nearly 50 blind hikers of all ages and abilities out for an adventure that would not soon be forgotten. Tom arranged for a botanist, naturalist, and other trail guides who helped to bring the hiking experience alive for these blind folks, some of whom had hardly before experienced a tree outside of the cage-like wells that typically line urban sidewalks. These ventures were captured in A.T. Journeys Magazine , a publication of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy authored by Tom, himself. Because of Tom’s extraordinary organizing skills and planning, an indelible partnership was born between the PATC and the National Federation of the Blind of Maryland which helped to change societal perceptions about the capabilities of blind people. For this, among so many other things, Brother Tom, your memory will live on forever. To his surviving family in grief, we offer our love and most sincere condolences. RIP Thomas Reed Johnson | In fond memory, Lou Ann Blake (Bum Knees) & Maurice Peret (BlindWanderer)
Sharon, I am so sorry to learn of Tom’s death. You probably don’t remember me, but I remember the good times we had together when you were in Japan and I was on TDY there. That was many years ago, but I think of them often. I hope you are doing well. I have you in my thoughts and prayers. Arleen Allen arleen1117@earthlink.net
Tom is the essence of trails, as he passionately built and blazed them. He followed and led in the footsteps of Benton MacKaye and Myron Avery to sow and plant the seeds of trails north and south, to share their story (and others) so it’s not forsaken or forgotten, and to mentor generations younger as new trail blazers. Tom’s trail stories and passion will be greatly missed by the hiking community who loved him. My deepest condolences – may peace be with you.
Tom’s passion for hiking and his mission to record the history of the Appalachian Trail was inspiring. His contributions to the Potomac Appalachian Trail Club and the Appalachian Trail Museum among other hiking organizations will live forever. He was a gentle spirit in a restless world. Be Peace, Tom Johnson.
Thanks for gracing us with your presence. You will be missed
I first met Tom when we both worked for the Department of Defense. He was a great researcher and scholar. What I remember more is his kindness and his encouragement to other workers. Tom and his wife Sharon were always spoiling us with great goodies that always brightened up our spirits. It was a pleasure to attend their 50th wedding anniversary. I introduced Tom to the National Federation of the Blind. He communicated his zest for life and hiking and helped us have some wonderful experiences. Tom enhanced our hikes by bringing friends who showed us lots of flowers and interesting animals. When one of Tom’s friends took a gosling out of the water so we could touch it, the rest of the geese were really mad and did a lot of yelling. These experiences touched the lives of many people. I admired Tom’s interest in staying in shape. He rode his bike to work and went to the gym regularly. Tom was a great friend and colleague who lived life to the full but had time and interest in other people. -Sharon Maneki
Nina and Sharon, I just wish to pass on our condolences from the Warren County Democratic Committee. Tom came to our meetings when he could. I remember his words being measured and constructive He felt deeply about our country: preserving our environment was a passion, of course. He wanted to do what he could—always with a careful check with counsel at the intelligence agencies where he worked— and so he drove me around the country when I had literature to distribute and people to talk with about the future of our country. We went together several times during the past campaign season and I found myself apologizing for how far apart the dwellings were that we visited. It did not matter to him. He understood that I needed to take the time to listen to people who wanted to talk when I knocked on their doors or encountered them in the their yards. They had dreams, aspirations, and cares and he knew listening was important in organizing for positive changes in our politics and national life. I was so fortunate to be able to listen to his memories of growing up. His story about working with people who are visually impaired and blind to help them experience the beauty of the Appalachian Trail was particularly touching. Tom’s ministry—your shared ministry—to any person who wishes to hike the trail and experience what Nature has to offer was extraordinary. The only time I saw him upset was when he was a sign barring trespassing onto at the access trail on High Knob that some of our fearful neighbors had posted. “That’s just not neighborly,” he fumed. And he thought of a way around it: Any hiker that needed to come off the trail at High Knob could say that he or she is his guest. There are times when we all need to be good neighbors, not just to people who “belong”, but to the strangers we encounter along the way. What a gift he was to all he encountered along his way.
I just learned of the sad news of Tom’s passing and we’ve lost a great leader in the trails and outdoor recreation community. I was President/Executive Director of the American Hiking Society for 12 years and during my entire tenure at AHS, I had the benefit of Tom’s able guidance and wisdom as an AHS Board member, trail volunteer and hiking companion. Tom leaves a profound and lasting legacy on trail and public lands policy, volunteerism, and the creation of new trails (Great Eastern Trail) and the enduring stewardship of the AT and many others. He and Sharon were true trail angels and supporters of public access to America’s great outdoors. Rest In Peace, Tom and blessings to Sharon and family.
I was hiking the Appalachian Trail in 2008, when I came across a telephone number for the ‘Loft’. I called the number and Tom answered. He seemed a little surprised that I had his number. But he was willing to pick me up downtown Front RoyaI and spend the night at his ‘Loft’ which was a new addition built on the side of his house. I ate dinner with Tom and Sharon and a young couple and their two young children. The couple was on their way to the middle east to take a new job. It was a wonderful dinner with wonderful conversation. In the morning Tom fixed me a country breakfast, and he drove me back to the AT. A short two day encounter that has stayed with me for over 12 years. Rest in Peace, Tom.
I raveling been grateful that Tom was part of my growing-up years. Being with him provided a legacy of intellect and morality I’ll never forget.
Jim Fix